Episode 55: When Good Decisions Have Bad Outcomes

Charlie Harary interviews RXR CEO Scott Rechler on end-of-summer reflections and preparing for the next stretch of goals. Rechler emphasizes evaluating what hasn’t worked, doing thorough homework on investments and initiatives, listening to feedback, surrounding yourself with strong advisors, and maintaining the humility to avoid bias.

He distinguishes between good processes and good outcomes. The right decisions can fail due to unpredictable external factors like COVID, interest rates, and inflation, while the wrong decisions can sometimes succeed because of luck. Rechler stresses the importance of recalibrating under new conditions without abandoning disciplined decision-making.

They also discuss how preparation not only improves results but helps leaders interpret outcomes and strengthen organizational collaboration. Rechler explains the importance of balancing entrepreneurial flexibility during early ideation with more formal collaboration and governance when decisions are finalized. He describes preparation as a lifestyle, prioritizing deep preparation for high-value moments and building a flywheel of stronger, more efficient processes.